Speed Up Windows Computers

How to Speed Up Windows Computers for better performance, quicker speed and reliable programs.

Some tips to help you optimize computers for faster performance. Results in faster computer and more reliable programs. We are a Kerry based website design optimisation and PC repair company.

The Performance troubleshooter

The Performance troubleshooter, which can automatically find and fix problems. The Performance troubleshooter checks issues that might slow down your computer’s performance, how many users are logged in to the computer and how many programs are running at the same time.

To open the Performance troubleshooter click the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting. Under System and Security, click Check for performance issues.

Delete programs you don’t use

PC manufacturers pack new computers with programs you did not need or want. These often include trials and limited-edition versions of programs that software companies hope you’ll buy. If you decide you don’t want them, keeping the software on your computer will slow it down by using memory, disk space, and processing power. Another thing to remember is games, adults and kids play games and love to install new programs play them for 3 days and forget they are installed. These game not only bring in viruses they take up memory, disk space, and processing on your computer.

It’s a good idea to uninstall all the programs you don’t to use. This should include both manufacturer-installed software and software you installed yourself but don’t want any more—especially utility programs designed to help manage and tune your computer’s hardware and software.

Utility programs such as virus scanners, disk cleaners, and backup tools often run automatically at startup, quietly in the background where you can’t see them.

Even if your PC is older, it might contain manufacturer-installed programs that you never noticed or have forgotten. It’s never too late to remove these and get rid of the clutter and wasted system resources. Maybe you thought you might use the software someday. Uninstall it and see if your PC runs faster.

Limit how many programs run at startup

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows starts. Software manufacturers often set their programs to open in the background, you can’t see these running, they’ll open right immediately when you click their icons. That’s helpful for programs you use a lot, but for programs you never use, this wastes memory and slows down the time it takes Windows to finish starting up.

Decide for yourself if you want a program to run at startup.

To tell what programs run automatically at startup? The program adds an icon to the notification area on the taskbar, where you can see it running. Look there to see if there are any programs running that you don’t want to start automatically. Point to each icon to see the program name. Be sure to click the Show hidden icons button so you don’t miss any icons.

Even after you check the notification area, you might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. AutoRuns for Windows, a free tool that you can download from the Microsoft website, shows you all of the programs and processes that run when you start Windows.

You can stop a program from running automatically when Windows starts by opening the AutoRuns for Windows program, and then by clearing the check box next to the name of the program you want to stop. AutoRuns for Windows is designed for advanced users.

Defragment your hard disk weekly

Disk Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually. At a basic level it pack fragmented data together, saving disk space and ultimately speeding your processing power.

Clean up your hard disk

Files on your hard disk take up disk space and slow down your computer. Disk Cleanup will removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that slow down your PC and you no longer need.

Run fewer programs at the same time

Changing your computing behavior can have a huge impact on your PC’s performance. If you’re the type of computer user who likes to keep programs and a dozen browser windows open at once—all while sending instant messages, don’t be surprised if your PC slows down. Keeping a lot of e‑mail messages open can also eat up memory. Crisp and clean PC are better PCs.

Changing personal habits help, if you find your PC slowing down, ask yourself if you really need to keep all your programs and windows open at once. Find a better way to remind yourself to reply to e‑mail messages rather than keeping all of them open.

Running more than one antivirus program can also slow down your computer. If you’re running more than one antivirus program, Action Center notifies you and can help you fix the problem.

Turn off visual effects

If Windows is running slowly, you can speed it up by disabling some of its visual effects. It comes down to appearance versus performance, its a personal preference. Would you rather have Windows run faster or look prettier? If your PC is fast enough, you don’t have to make this descision, but if your computer is just barely powerful enough to start, it can be useful to scale back on the visual effects.

To adjust all visual effects for best performance:

Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools.

Click Adjust visual effects

If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Click the Visual Effects tab, click Adjust for best performance, and then click OK. (For a less drastic option, select Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer.)

Restarting regularly

A Simple Tip. Restart your PC at least once a week, especially if you use it a lot. Restarting a PC is a good way to clear out its memory and ensure that any errant processes and services that started running get shut down.

Restarting closes all the software running on your PC—not only the programs you see running on your taskbar, but also dozens of services that might have been started by various programs Restarting can fix mysterious performance problems when the exact cause is hard to pin point.

If you keep so many programs, e‑mail messages, and websites open that you think restarting is a hassle, that’s a definite sign you should restart your PC. The more things you have open and the longer you keep them running, the greater the chances your PC will slow down and eventually run low on memory, causing programs to quit or fail and it never a good time for a working program to fail.

If a computer running Windows is too slow, it’s usually because the PC doesn’t have enough RAM. The best way to speed it up is to add more RAM.

Windows can run on a PC with 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM, but it runs better with 2 GB. For optimal performance, boost that to 3 GB or more.

Another option is to boost the amount of memory by using Windows‌ ReadyBoost. This feature allows you to use the storage space on some removable media devices, such as USB flash drives, to speed up your computer. It’s easier to plug a flash drive into a USB port than to open your PC case and plug memory modules into its motherboard.

Check for viruses and spyware

A PC running slowly, it’s possible that it’s infected with a virus or spyware. This is not as common as the other problems, but it’s something to consider. Before you worry too much, check your PC using antispyware and antivirus programs. There are a some available free on the internet.

A common symptom of a virus is a much slower computer performance. Other signs include unexpected messages that pop up, programs that start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

Spyware is a type of program that’s installed, usually without your knowledge, to watch your activity on the Internet. You can check for spyware with Windows Defender or anti spyware programs.

The best way to deal with viruses is to prevent them in the first place. Always run antivirus software and keep it up to date. This is a program that you want to startup at boot time.

Check your computer’s speed

If you try these tips and your computer is still slow, you might need a new PC or some hardware upgrades, such as a new hard disk, faster video card or RAM upgrade. Windows provides a way to check and rate of your PC’s speed with a tool called the Windows Experience Index.

The Windows Experience Index rates your computer on five key components and gives you a number for each, as well as an overall base score.

This base score is only as good as your worst-performing component. Base scores currently range from 1 to 8. If your PC is rated lower than 2 or 3, it is time to consider a new PC, depending on what tasks you want to do with your computer.

Change the size of virtual memory

If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you’ll need to increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial minimum size of the paging file equal to the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer, and the maximum size equal to three times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

Open System by clicking the Start button right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties.

In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Under Drive, click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Increases in size usually don’t require a restart for the changes to take effect, but if you decrease the size, you’ll need to restart your computer. We recommend that you don’t disable or delete the paging file.

I have a Degree in Accelerated Information Technology,
ComPTIA Certified Technician with numerous certifications in
computer maintenance and repair.
Call 087 7547 098 if you require a faster, quicker user experience
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